Some regional districts understand their regional responsibilities very well. Take for example the Regional District of the North Okanagan, (RDNO). Within the RDNO, Vernon, Coldstream, Area B and C form Greater Vernon. Vernon’s population is 38,150 (2011) and the Greater Vernon population is 58,584.
Working together in conjunction with the RDNO, Greater Vernon has provided many services including Wesbild where our famous Vees regularly duke it out with the Vernon Vipers.
The RDNO collaborated with the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society to build their performing arts centre. Situated in Vernon, the RDNO owns the facility which is operated under a management and operating agreement with the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society.
The RDNO recently held a Greater Vernon referendum for a new sports complex. The complex passed with a simple majority.
Unfortunately the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) does not share the same sense of community responsibility as the RDNO.
An RDOS staff report recommends that voters use an alternate approval process on whether to go along with a fire dispatch upgrade of $1.6 million. Penticton will be on the hook for 38 per cent of $1.6 million, yet will benefit the least as most improvements are slated for rural areas.
If you don’t want to support this $1.6 million expenditure you need to vote against it. Unless 10 per cent of the voters say no, the expenditure will go ahead. Watch the papers for more information.
The RDNO practices community living supporting services in their area. Naramata, OK Falls, Kaleden, Heritage Hills and Skaha Estates do not support through their taxes the capital and yearly administration costs of public recreational services in Penticton.
I will be voting no to this $1.6 million. If the referendum is denied and the RDOS decides to retaliate with a user-pay fire dispatch system do you think that Penticton should opt out and go back to their original local service agreement?
Elvena Slump
Penticton